Home Economics Institute of Australia

The Institute comprises eight Divisions, one from each state and territory. The members of a Division are those members of the Institute who normally reside in that state or territory. Each Division, through its committee of management, manages its own affairs to reflect the objects of the Institute. In addition, each Division plays a strong role at the national level through representation on the national Council and through participation on nationally formed committees and task groups. For example, the Queensland Division has responsibility for the national Publications Standing Committee.

The affairs of the Institute are managed at a national level by the national Council. Council determines policy and generally conducts and coordinates the national business of the Institute. Council is made up of ten members: a representative from each of the eight Divisions (known as delegates), the immediate past-president (or president-elect) and the current president. Each Council delegate, appointed by Divisions, has one vote at Council meetings. The president-elect and past-president do not have a vote. The president has only a casting vote.
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From the eight Divisional representatives, Council elects a secretary, treasurer and an executive member, who with the president and immediate past-president (or president-elect) form the executive of council. Currently the Treasurer is the Queensland delegate. The president, while a member of one of the Divisions, does not represent any one Division, as is the case with the president-elect and past-president.The 1994-96 and 2000-2002 national presidents, Drs Janet Reynolds and Donna Pendergast respectively, are members of the Queensland Division.

The national Council has established a number of standing committees to manage the affairs of the Institute. The standing committees include:

• Education
• Finance
• International affairs
• Membership
• Merchandising
• Professional development
• Public health
• Publications
• Research
• Telecommunications.

While each Division has its own internal structure, committee of management and business to manage, Divisions also accept responsibility for one or more of the Standing Committees formed by Council.